Combined Boards Provide Better Care to More Clients More Efficiently

Stark County Community Mental Health and Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services
Boards Merge

CANTON, Ohio, Dec. 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Two county boards have
merged effective January 1, 2008. The Stark County Community Mental Health
Board and the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board of Stark County are
now a single entity, known as the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of
Stark County.
"The combined Board will create a stronger advocate for people with mental
health and addiction problems than the two boards could independently," said
Dan McMasters, Board president.
The Board oversees and funds agencies in Stark County that provide
prevention, intervention, and treatment services for mental health and
substance abuse. The board is responsible for assessing the needs of the
community and ensuring that a comprehensive continuum of care is in place.
"We had investigated providing additional treatment opportunities but
hesitated due to the need to go to two different boards for funding," said Dan
Fuline, Executive Director, Community Services of Stark County. "Now we can
serve more people because the combined board streamlines the process
significantly."
Funding sources include the state and federal governments. A local tax
levy also provides some funding for mental health services. On the alcohol
and drug addiction side, a portion of the funding comes from a variety of
organizations, including the County Commissioners, Veterans Commission, and
the courts.
"By combining the Boards, our hope is to get people improved treatment
access before they commit crimes. Treatment used as alternative sentencing can
help reduce the jail population. It costs the taxpayers a lot less to provide
treatment than it does to incarcerate," said Stark County Commissioner Tom
Harmon.
In any given year, a network of 20 affiliated agencies provides more than
15,000 residents with mental health and substance abuse services, and more
than 7,000 youth and adults with prevention programs, especially children and
teens.
"We are a safety net for the community, providing services to people who
could not access them due to a lack of resources," said John Aller, Executive
Director. "The new Board makes it easier for our agencies to interact with us
and it's proving to be more cost-effective for everyone."
The Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Stark County enriches
lives through wellness and recovery by partnering with agencies that provide
prevention, intervention, and treatment services for mental health and
substance abuse.
SOURCE Stark County Community Mental Health Board

Curt Werren, +1-330-458-2176 or +1-330-495-8443